PAT test syllabus

Algebra1. Quadratics2. Graph sketching3. transformation of variables?4. inequalities5. logarithms6. exponentials7. sequences8. binomial expansion9. Trigonometry

1. Mechanics - interpretation of distance, v, a graphs- forces- Newton's laws of motion- weight and mass- addition of forces- circular motion- friction, air resistance, terminal velocity- levers,pulleys, other elementary machines- springs, hooke's law- KE and PE and their inter-conversion- other forms of energy- conservation of energy= power and work

2. Waves and optics- longitudinal, transverse waves- amplitude, frequency, period, wavelength, speed - their relationships- properties of electromagnetic spectrum- reflection at plane mirrors- refraction, properties of prisms, and lenses, - total internal reflection (no maths)- interference and diffraction (no maths)

3. Electricity and magnetism- current, voltage, charge, resistance - relationships and link to energy and power- circuits: batteries, wires, resistors, filament lamps, diodes, capacitors, light dependent resistors, thermistors, - series and parallel circuits- links between electricity and magnetism - electromagnets, motors, generators, and transformers- current as a flow of electrons- thermionic emission and energy of accelerated electron beams

4. Natural world: - atomic and nuclear structure- properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation- half lives- nuclear fission- structure of the solar system- phases of the moon and eclipses- circular orbits under gravity, orbital speed, radius, period, centripetal acceleration, gravitational centripetal force- satellites: geostationary and polar orbits- properties of solids, liquids, and gases including responses to pressure and temperature 

Calculus- differntiation and integration of polynomials including fractional and negative powers (not 1/x)- differentiation as finding the slope of a curve?- location of maxima, minima, points of inflection.- integration as reverse of differentiations- finding area under a curve- simplifying integrals by symmetry arguments

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